Page 9 of Her Christmas Harem

Ky’s response was pained. “Don’t I know it! It doesn’t help that Selene’s being such a bitch. Poor kid doesn’t know whether she’s coming or going.”

“Best thing that wife of yours ever did was go back to Greece and leave the bairn here,” Coll muttered, darkly.

“If only she’d stay there and quit interfering.” Xander’s remark was accurate but surprising. He rarely passed comment on either of their personal situations, so Kyros knew his old friend must be getting equally pissed off at the machinations of his ex, as well.

“Do you think we made the right decision?” It was surprising that Coll was the one who asked. He usually kept quiet unless he had something to say.

“Of course we did, Xander replied. “The children are just exaggerating because they want Emalee here, which is fine, because they’re kids and she’s the closest thing they have to a mother. Even Kira since Selene doesn’t seem to bother with her unless it’s to manipulate Ky into something.”

“Xander’s right,” Kyros agreed. As soon as Christmas kicks in, they’ll be having so much fun they’ll forget all about it.”

He hoped.

“I’ll miss Emalee, though,” he added, quietly.

The other two nodded their silent agreement. They had agreed a long time ago not to go up against each other with their delectable nanny. Especially since Emalee, herself, didn’t show any one of them any favor.

If she had, then all bets would have been off.

There was always the other option though... it wouldn’t be the first time they’d shared a woman.

Oh, it hadn’t happened for a while. Not since they’re younger days, before they all got into relationships and became fathers.

But it certainly might be the answer to all of their problems.

... Or it could just make things a whole lot worse, which was why they’d never acted on it.

Chapter Six

DECEMBER TWENTY-THIRD probably ranked as one of the worst days of her life.

Okay, so Em knew she was being a little melodramatic there, because there were far worse things than being on her own for the day. But telling herself that didn’t make it suck any less.

And today and tomorrow, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day itself, were going to be even worse.

She couldn’t even book in for any treatments to spoil herself, because everything had been booked up so far in advance of the festive season it was like asking for the moon.

She lay, starfished, on the plush hotel bed staring at the ceiling wondering what the heck she was going to do with her day, and contemplated just going back to sleep, even though it was only 11.30am, just to while away the time.

Her mind wandered to the children, as it did dozens of times throughout the day, and she wondered what they were doing. Were they eating properly? Sleeping properly? Having a good time?

Were they missing her as much as she missed them?

Were their father’s?

That was dangerous territory and Em pushed the thought aside.

Christmas Eve: Xander said they’d probably go to the Christmas Eve Parade event that she’d flagged for them.

Em wondered if they’d actually go. She checked her watch. It started in half an hour and took place in the square right outside her hotel.

Em swung her legs off the bed and wandered over to the window where she could see all the performers getting ready.

What the hell, maybe she should just go herself since all she had to do was walk down the stairs.

It had snowed overnight, giving everything a crisp blanket of white. But it wasn’t deep, just enough to add to the ambience, and the roads were all clear.

There was a watery sun, not quite strong enough to melt the snow - yet - but enough to lift the temperature above freezing, so Emalee grabbed her coat and gloves, but decided not to bother with a hat.

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